Twilight Saga Fan Convention In LA Was Chance To 'Geek' Out Over The Series

Los Angeles Daily NewsLos Angeles Daily News

In anticipation of the last installment of what has spawned a cult of vampire- and werewolf-loving fanatics, the Official Twilight Saga Fan Convention attracted hundreds of teens, tweens and everything in between to bid farewell to their favorite immortals.

The weekend-long event at the Los Angeles Marriott Burbank hotel drew fans from the San Gabriel Valley, Inland Empire, San Diego and as far as New York.

"This is sort of a bittersweet send off," said Adam Malin, co-CEO of Creation Entertainment. "Our business is built around fan passion and energy. It's fun for fans and, as a fan boy myself, I know what this means to them."

This was the fourth official fan convention hosted by Glendale-based fan convention production company Creation Entertainment. Last year, the Los Angeles event had the star power of Twilight stars Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner.

The film series began in 2008 with "Twilight," which introduced fans to author Stephanie Meyer's popular novels centered around Bella Swan, a teenage girl who falls in love with a vampire named Edward Cullen.

The story continued with "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" in 2009 and "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse" in 2010 when Swan ends up also falling in love with a werewolf named Jacob Black.

Last year's "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn -- Part 1" was the beginning of the end for the paranormal love story, which concludes Nov. 16 when the Part 2 hits theaters.

Fans flocked to the convention to show their support for Team Edward or Team Jacob, and to participate in convention festivities, from trivia games to costume contests and even Saturday night's Cullen Wedding Reception Party.

Amber Woods of Barstow took her daughter, Autumn, to the convention as a birthday present. Autumn turns 10 today.

"It's pretty neat to share a story where we can connect and enjoy the convention together," Amber Woods said. "It's a story that we can both relate to. There are different things that she likes about it than me, but it's still something that we can share."

Autumn said her favorite part of her present was getting to meet Dr. Cullen played by Peter Facinelli. Her attraction, aside from his dashing good looks, she said is that the character is not only a doctor but a foster parent as well.

"I always get so stoked for these things," said Marisol Ruiz, 21, of Riverside, who was wearing a shirt showing her Team Edward pride.

While Ruiz said she mainly comes to the events for the Q&A events with the celebrities, the best part about the fan conventions is interacting with other fans.

"It's a good time to talk and get to know other fans who don't think you're crazy," she said, laughing.

Anne Takeuchi, 37, of West Los Angeles shares Ruiz's sentiments.

Jumping up and down like a giddy school girl after taking a photo with Charles Bewley, who plays Demetri in the series, Takeuchi said that it's refreshing to be able to be a complete fanatic "without being ridiculed."

"I totally geek out at these and it's just too much fun," she said, laughing.

In addition to Facinelli and Bewley, other Twilight actors who made appearances Saturday included Tinsel Korey, Julia Jones and BooBoo Stewart.

Stewart, who has been to well over 20 fan conventions for Twilight representing his character Seth Clearwater, told the Daily News he never gets tired of meeting his fans.

"You never know who will show up to these and it makes it interesting," said Stewart, who added that the highlight of his Saturday convention experience was a fan bringing him his favorite treat: Reese's Pieces.

Stewart is slated to make another appearance at the convention on Sunday along with fellow Twilight stars Gil Birmingham, Alex Meraz, Casey LaBow and Bronson Pelletier.

"Being a part of this has been a life-changing experience," Stewart said, who believes that Twilight will have staying power of the Harry Potter, Star Wars and Star Trek series. "I'm glad it's coming to an end, but I'm sad, too. Everything ends someday, but I'd rather end on a high note and that's what we're doing. So this feels great."